No garden is complete without at least a few gorgeous, blooming perennials. Here are 7 of our favorites for attracting pollinator friends to the garden.
Yarrow (Achillea)
A long bloomer that makes an excellent cut flower (fresh and dried), Yarrow is one of the most carefree perennials. Their flowers attract many beneficial insects, including bees and butterflies. Does best in well-drained soil. Cut back after blooming to encourage new blooms.
Delphinium
This romantic flowering plant loves full sun and the tall spires of blue, lavender, red, pink, purple, or white flowers attract hummingbirds. Delphiniums prefer rich soil and regular fertilizer. Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Did you know there are over 400 species of Delphiniums?
Penstemon
Bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies adore Penstemon's tubular flowers. Native to the West, they thrive in hot, sunny conditions, preferring well-drained soil and regular water. Available in a variety of colors and sizes, they make an excellent cut flower.
Hardy Fuchsia
Most varieties bloom from late spring to frost, with beautiful, sometimes multicolored flowers. Their long, tubular flowers are a big draw for hummingbirds. Grow in full sun to part shade, depending on the variety. Keep soil regularly moist and feed them in early spring.
Bee Balm
(Monarda didyma)
Bee Balm's frilly flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden! Also known as Oswego Tea (click for a great story), the plant's dark green leaves have an orange-mint scent when crushed. Does best in full sun to part shade, with well-drained soil. Flowers can be red, purple, white, lavender, or pink.
Catmint (Nepeta)
A relative of catnip and a member of the mint family, catmint's loose spikes of lavender (or white or pink) flowers attract bees from late spring through summer. Cut faded stems to the ground to encourage rebloom. Grow in full sun to part shade for best results.
Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum)
Beloved to butterflies, this perennial has vanilla-scented leaves and big domes of small, nectar-rich flowers in late summer and fall. Grows to 6-8ft tall! Deer resistant. Prefers full sun and evenly moist, well-drained soil. Pink, purple, or white flowers.